A VMC is an X.509 certificate issued by an approved authority (DigiCert or Entrust) that binds a registered trademark logo to a domain. Gmail and Apple Mail require a VMC or CMC to render a BIMI logo.
How much does a VMC cost?
Roughly $1,000 to $1,500 per year per logo, depending on the CA.
How long does issuance take?
Typically 2 to 6 weeks, mostly spent on organization and trademark validation.
Do I need one VMC per domain?
One VMC can cover multiple domains using SANs, if they share the same trademark.
Why does Verified Mark Certificates (VMC) matter for deliverability?
The VMC is the trust anchor: it proves the logo belongs to the trademark holder, preventing brand impersonation in the inbox.
What is the first step to get started with Verified Mark Certificates (VMC)?
Confirm your logo is a registered trademark in an accepted jurisdiction (USPTO, EUIPO, UKIPO, JPO, and others).
What is the most common Verified Mark Certificates (VMC) mistake?
Submitting a logo that differs from the registered mark, even slightly.